NYPSC Approves Investments to Meet Customer Demands for Electric Buildings and Transportation in New York

Today, the New York Public Service Commission directed utilities across New York State to build twenty-nine grid upgrade projects, intended to meet customers’ growing demand for electrified buildings and vehicles. This is the first of two expected orders as part of the commission’s proactive grid planning proceeding, meant to ready the state’s grid. These projects reflect the product of nation-leading forecasting methods to predict and prepare for grid needs, and represent $637 million of system investments that will serve a broad range of economic development, electrification, and other loads. 

“These projects will support grid access and reliability, and will help New York meet its ambitious and essential electrification targets. By making these investments now instead of later, New York is making energy safer and more affordable for ratepayers by reducing total project costs and accelerating more efficient usage of the grid.”

• Michael Zimmerman, Senior Attorney, Electrification

This order is a good short-term step. However, it leaves unanswered challenging questions - such as how utilities will consider cost-reducing technologies, and how to preserve transparency and customer protections - that are essential for a durable and affordable long-term approach. EDF discussed these questions in its comments and looks forward to the Commissions addressing them in a second order later this year.